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Martin Rickett
AS IT HAPPENED

As it happened: West Brom v Man United, Premier League

West Brom took on Man United, with the Red Devils needing a win to keep up the pressure on their rivals.

Hello, and welcome to today’s liveblog.

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We’re underway…

West Brom have started this game positively.

Chadli has just tried an ambitious attempt from distance.

WEST BROM 0-1 MAN UNITED (IBRAHIMOVIC 5)

Lingard makes a surging run down the right and his cross finds the head of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who makes no mistake with his finish.

That was a brilliantly worked goal.

United go close again as Rooney’s header is deflected wide for a corner.

The visitors are playing with plenty of confidence and conviction at the moment.

Replays of the goal reveal that Ibrahimovic had a slight tug at the jersey of Darren Fletcher just before heading home.

The West Brom captain was incensed that the referee failed to notice it.

Rooney crosses but Fletcher is in the right area to intercept and stop Ibrahimovic getting to the ball.

Man United have looked very comfortable in the opening 20 minutes against a West Brom side who went into this game just four points behind them in the table.

As I type, Foster has to tip a powerful Rooney strike onto the post.

Ibrahimovic gets booked for a reckless challenge on Dawson.

The Swede went into that challenge leading with his elbow and former referee Howard Webb tells BT Sport that it’s “not a million miles away” from a red card.

Ibrahimovic plays through Rooney, but Foster is alert and gets to the ball before the England international. United have played some good football in this first half.

As I type, West Brom go close, as Rondon heads Phillips’ cross just wide.

West Bromwich Albion v Manchester United - Premier League - The Hawthorns Manchester United's Zlatan Ibrahimovic (right) celebrates scoring his side's first goal of the game with assist provider Jesse Lingard. Nick Potts Nick Potts

Phillips hits a shot from distance that goes well wide.

West Brom have been very poor in the final third so far.

United have controlled the midfield so far, with West Brom relying more often than not on hopeful long balls.

The only concern for Mourinho will be his side’s failure to translate this dominance into clear-cut chances.

Chance for United, as a mis-hit shot by Darmian plays through Lingard on goal.

The young midfielder blasts the ball wastefully over, however.

HALF-TIME: WEST BROM 0-1 MAN UNITED 

So half-time and United are well worth their 1-0 lead.

A Rondon header wide apart, West Brom haven’t threatened, with United comfortable for much of the first half.

The visitors could have added to their lead, with Wayne Rooney going close on more than one occasion.

As it stays 1-0 however, the Baggies will always have a chance.

The second half is underway…

Dawson gets booked for a late challenge on Ibrahimovic.

Perhaps that’s payback for the Swede’s elbow on him earlier.

It’s been a very disappointing performance so far from West Brom considering that they’ve been in such good form this season.

They’ve just been so passive and look like a team defending a lead rather than a side in need of a goal.

WEST BROM 0-2 MAN UNITED (IBRAHIMOVIC 56)

Ibrahimovic finds the net from the edge of the box, as his shot deflects into the corner of the goal off Dawson.

That’s surely game over now, given how lacklustre West Brom have been today.

United have had 60% of the possession so far.

Jose Mourinho teams aren’t usually associated with attractive football, but there has been plenty of slick, sharp passing on display today.

West Bromwich Albion v Manchester United - Premier League - The Hawthorns Manchester United's Zlatan Ibrahimovic (right) scores his side's first goal of the game. Nick Potts Nick Potts

Rondon is booked for stepping on a prone Rojo during a coming together between the two and subsequently slaps Phil Jones in the dispute that follows.

The referee did not see the latter incident and so the West Brom star is fortunate not to be sent off.

A number of the Baggies’ players are looking frustrated at the moment.

Appeals for a penalty as McAuley’s header from a corner comes off Pogba’s hand.

It would have been very harsh, as the French international was very close to the defender, so it was more ball to hand.

West Brom make an attacking change, as Morrison replaces Dawson.

However, you get the feeling that it’s too little, too late for the hosts.

Man United make a change, as Rashford replaces Lingard.

Still no real signs of a West Brom revival.

West Brom make a double substitution.

Phillips and Chadli come off and they are replaced by Robson-Kanu and Leko.

That means James McClean won’t be getting a run out today.

Rooney is replaced by Fellaini.

Bobby Charlton stays as United’s all-time record goalscorer for now.

Chris Brunt gets booked for cynically taking out Rashford.

This game has been dead for quite some time now.

West Bromwich Albion v Manchester United - Premier League - The Hawthorns Manchester United's Marcus Rashford runs at the West Bromwich Albion defence. Nick Potts Nick Potts

There will be four minutes of injury time…

Herrera is replaced by Smalling.

Meanwhile, Ibrahimovic has deservedly been named man of the match by BT Sports’ Owen Hargreaves.

FULL-TIME: WEST BROM 0-2 MAN UNITED

Right, that’s all from me but we’ll have more reaction to follow.

Thanks for reading and commenting.

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